Family: Araceae
Common Name: Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine
Botanical Name: Aglaonema commutatutm ‘Lady Valentine’
This alluring aglaonema spreads love and joy with its glorious pinks, reds, and green-mottled leaves. You will blow a kiss to this hard-to-resist colorful indoor plant every time you leave it behind. Lady Valentine Chinese Evergreen is true royalty in the world of Chinese Evergreens, so hats off to this lovely lady! This easy-care indoor plant will maintain its color best if you keep it in medium to bright indirect light, but read on to learn more about their care requirements
Light
Colorful and variegated Chinese Evergreens will maintain their vibrancy and intense colors when grown in medium to bright, indirect sunlight for over 6 hours each day. They should never be placed in direct sunlight as the intense rays of the sun will burn their leaves. They can grow under artificial lighting, making them ideal for offices and interior low-light spaces. If grown under artificial light, they should receive at least 8-10 hours each day to remain healthy! Learn more about how to determine the best light for your houseplants!
Water
Water the soil thoroughly after the soil is almost completely dry. When the leaves first show signs of wilting, is the best time to add water. Make sure you add the water slowly and evenly making sure that the soil absorbs all the water! Water more often in the growing season and reduce the frequency during winter. If the soil becomes compacted, soak the entire root system (root ball) in a bucket of water for 10 minutes to help loosen up the soil. A great way to test the soil for dryness is to pick up the plant; if it feels very light, it is most likely time to water it! Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine is generally not sensitive to the minerals found in tap or well water, but every few months you can leach the soil (this flushes out the accumulated minerals in the soil) by flushing out salts and minerals that may have accumulated in the soil. Do this by running water through the soil for a few minutes. Chinese evergreens you place in lower light areas should be watered less often; indoor plants placed in brighter spots will require more frequent watering. These plants don't like being soggy, so wait until the top two inches of soil are dry, and then water thoroughly. Never let the roots sit in standing water; ensure the pot has proper drainage or drain the excess water from the pots!
Soil
Potting soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter, but still has the ability to drain well is the perfect growing medium for all aglaonemas! Most coco coir or peat-based potting soil mixes will be adequate but make sure that they do not contain water-retentive crystals as they can cause the soil to continually stay moist causing root rot. Avoid using garden soil, or dense outdoor soils as this will prevent proper drainage and may introduce pests or pathogens. If you are feeling adventurous, try creating your own potting soil!
Temperature
Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine prefers to live in temperatures of 60℉ and up. Keep them away from cold drafts, air conditioning, and heating vents as they're cold sensitive.
Humidity
Aglaonema can tolerate average household humidity levels (40-50%). If the tips of the leaves turn brown, it means the air is too dry, and you should increase the humidity with a humidifier. Trays filled with pebbles and water can also help increase the humidity immediately surrounding your plants and group your indoor plants. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine does not require much fertilization, so use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to ¼ the recommended strength, fish/seaweed emulsion, or slow-release fertilizer once or twice in the growing season (spring through summer). Add a layer (½") of organic compost to the soil in the spring if you do not plan on fertilizing throughout the growing season. Be sure to water in the compost after you apply it! Learn when to fertilize your indoor plants in our in-depth video!
Growth Rate
Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine is a moderate growing indoor plant and can grow up to 3’+ in height with a width once established and cared for properly!
Pet Friend or Foe
Chinese Evergreen Lady Valentine is toxic to pets! Foe!
Pro Tips
- Leave the lower browning leaves on the plant until you can pull them out by hand. This will help prevent any unwanted critters from invading the plant.
- When going on vacation, place your Chinese Evergreen houseplants together with your other indoor plants in a low-light area. They'll use less water, and the nearby plants will help keep the humidity higher.
- Rotate your Chinese Evergreen 90° (quarter turn) every tine you water them to maintain a well-rounded shape.
- Chinese Evergreens will benefit from being re-potted when you notice the roots growing out of the drainage holes of the grow pot, or from the top of the pot! Make sure to check if the roots are dense first! Re-potting will encourage your plant to grow larger over time!
- Find out the plant care do's and don'ts for your new indoor plants!